Black Star Farms Old Mission and TASTES of Black Star Farms celebrated their "official" grand openings last Friday, March 14th. Many thanks to Traverse City Chamber of Commerce for their ribbon cutting ceremonies.

Chef Eric at the Farm

Congratulations Jen and Eric! Jen worked in the Suttons Bay tasting room and Eric did cooking demonstrations at our Farmer's Market last summer and fall.

(from TC Business News) —The Cooks’ House is slated to open April 1 at the former home of Patisserie Amie at 439 E. Front Street, Traverse City . Eric Patterson and Jennifer Blakeslee are partners in the new restaurant and will share chef duties, said Patterson. Combining decades of cooking and chef experience, the duo’s last joint venture was running Andre’s, a French restaurant in Las Vegas.Most recently, Blakeslee was a sous chef for Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools and Patterson cooked at Ciao Bella, a downtown Italian restaurant. “We are very excited about opening a restaurant in Traverse City because of all the agriculture and other artisan producers that surround the area,” said Patterson. “We are a restaurant that believes strongly in buying local and sustainable products,” and will offer a menu comprised almost entirely of local foods. Describing the menu as “seasonally-inspired New American,” Patterson said the food is simple and uncomplicated with dishes that celebrate singular, intense flavors. The Cooks’ House will be open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The lunch menu will offer salads, soups, sandwiches and a few entrees, ranging from $6 to $11 and dinner entrees running between $15 and $23.